Recommended joysticks?

[Moroder]

This is Moroder

I played these games years ago (3 and 4) using the ol' pc and mouse setup.
I really want to dust of my old cd's and replay 'em, this time on my projector and with a joystick.

My question is, which joystick would you recommend getting to enjoy these games? It would of course have to be USB compatible or I'd have to get some sort of adapter I guess. Any tips are appreciated!

Moroder signing off

 

[Mace]

Joysticks are not widespread anymore as in the 90's.. however their quality has increased. For about 35/40 euro's you can have a descent, sturdy flightstick, with a throttle, multiple buttons, hats, and even rudder control.

Ordering through a webshop tends to be a LOT cheaper. And speaking of budget, do you want a full-blown simulator setup with seperate Sticks, Throttle en pedals, costing over 300 euro's, or are you just looking for a descent stick for combat simulators.

 

[Ilanin]

The other big question to ask is whether or not you're right-handed. Sadly, a fairly large number of sticks are still moulded to fit a right-handed grip, which is incredibly annoying for the sixth of the population that can't use them as a result. I can recommend low-end joysticks if you're left-handed (most of Saitek's range is pretty good), I don't play simulators so have never seen the point in horrendously expensive sticks.

Of course, designs that can't be used if you're left-handed lasted well into the 27th century - just look where the flight stick is in the Arrow!

 

[Moroder]

Thanks for your replies! Ilanin, I am right handed, but thanks for the concern!
Mace, 35 euros sounds great. I was going to buy one online, I've been looking around on amazon and ebay. Maybe you could recommend some specific sticks, please?
USB joysticks are perfectly compatible with dosbox, right?

 

[Mace]

Thanks for your replies! Ilanin, I am right handed, but thanks for the concern!
Mace, 35 euros sounds great. I was going to buy one online, I've been looking around on amazon and ebay. Maybe you could recommend some specific sticks, please?
USB joysticks are perfectly compatible with dosbox, right?

I Would recommend the

Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X

Speedlink Black Widow

Saitek Aviator
(The aviator also has special models that are licensed for Xbox or PS3 use, if you use a console too it's worth considering)

And yes, the sticks are, but some brand-specific profiler software is not. You can use a generic program like PPJoy or Joystickmapper to help assign specific functions or key mappings.